Less than 30 days to nominate for the 2026 Capricorn Best in Business Awards!
The countdown is on for the 2026 Capricorn Best in Business Awards, with nominations closing on 30 September. Businesses, individuals and organisations across the region are encouraged to nominate and recognise the people making a difference in the local business community.
The latest Bowen Basin Population Report 2025 highlights continued growth in the region’s resource industry population, with mining remaining the predominant source of employment. The report also provides insights into changing non-resident worker patterns, including the number of workers travelling from the Rockhampton/Gladstone region, including Livingstone, to work across neighbouring shires.
Laureth Rumble featured in latest TEQ character profile
Reef Distillers co-founder Laureth Rumble is the latest Capricorn Coast local to be featured in the Tourism and Events Queensland (TEQ) Media Centre. The profile, How Reef Distillers’ Laureth Rumble is helping Queensland farmers grow their businesses, highlights Laureth’s farm-to-still approach and the distillery’s work with Queensland growers to transform local produce into unique, award-winning spirits.
Homegrown Round 2 now open for Queensland destination events
Applications are now open for Homegrown – Queensland’s Destination Events Fund Round 2 2026, providing funding opportunities to support the growth and development of destination events across Queensland. Events must be held between April 2027 and June 2028. Applications close 6 October 2026.
This week, acclaimed NZ freelance Travel Writer Mike Yardley visited the region during his North Queensland’s Holiday Highway journey from Cairns to Rockhampton/Yeppoon in an epic eight day itinerary thanks to Tourism and Events Queensland (TEQ).
Hosted media famil puts Capricorn Coast Region in the spotlight
A hosted media famil in June to the region has generated further exposure, with travel writer Kerry Heaney of Eat, Drink and Be Kerry featuring the region in her latest published article, showcasing its diverse accommodation and encouraging visitors to stay longer and explore more.
Business Chamber Queensland returns to Rockhampton to deliver its ecoBiz program on 2nd and 3rd September. This free program provides onsite assessments of your business, to help reduce energy, water and waste. You'll come away with strategies to not only reduce your environmental impact, but also your business overheads.
The newly opened Capricorn Business Hub in Rockhampton is supporting start-ups and small businesses with practical advice, mentoring, workshops, networking and access to funding opportunities.
ASIC - New Guidance For Small Business Company Directors
ASIC has launched the Small Business Director Essentials hub, bringing together practical tools, guidance and learning resources in one place to help small business directors understand and meet their ASIC-related obligations
The Queensland Government has opened a new round of the Gambling Community Benefit Fund, with not-for-profit community groups across Queensland encouraged to apply. Grants of up to $35,000.
The Queensland Government has launched public consultation on its draft State Planning Policy to ease the Housing Crisis. Read the draft State Planning Policy and have your say.
CBA (CommBank) has announced it will drop its merchant service fee from 1.1% to 0.99% per transaction as Australian businesses prepare for the upcoming surcharging ban beginning 1 October 2026.
Mount Morgan Wattle Day Festival - This Sunday - 6 September
Experience a family, fun-filled day of community celebration as Mount Morgan Promotion and Development Inc hosts the Mount Morgan Wattle Day Festival on Sunday, 6 September 2026, running from 9 am to 2.30 pm.
Sounds of Rock - Rockhampton - This Saturday, 5 September
Rockhampton is set to become the Rock Capital this September. For the very first time, the acclaimed Sounds of Rock Music Festival is heading to Rockhampton, bringing a world-class lineup of international icons and Australian music royalty for a massive one-day celebration!
The GJ Gardner Yeppoon Cup is coming, and this one is going to be HUGE! 31st October 2026 | SKY Televised Race Day | Sharing the stage with the iconic Victorian Derby Day.
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